Your current browser is not capable of using this site without JavaScript. Please use an updated browser or enable JavaScript to continue.

NewsJessica Fino
13 Mar 2018 03:50pm

UK economic growth slowest among G20

The UK economy is expected to have the slowest growth rate of the G20 countries in 2018 and 2019

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed ahead of the Spring Statement on Tuesday that, contrary to the rest of the world, UK economic growth will continue to weaken this year and the next.

UK GDP is expected to rise by 1.3%, up from the 1.2% forecast in November but will do so at the slowest rate of all the other major economies. The OECD also projects a 1.1% growth in 2019.

In the US, the economy is forecast to grow by 2.9% in 2018 and 2.8% in 2019, and the average G20 growth will be of 4.1% this year and 4% next year.

The world economy will grow by 3.9% in 2018 and 2019, the Paris-based organisation predicted.

The OECD explained that in the UK, higher inflation – driven by the past depreciation of sterling – will continue to back household purchasing power, affecting consumer consumption.

While unemployment levels remain low, the OECD said this could change due to the slower economic growth.

However, an agreement about a transition period linked to the EU exit after March 2019 is expected to support growth over the next year.

Globally, stronger investment; the improvement in global trade; and higher employment are helping economies to recover from the financial crisis.

The report highlighted new tax reductions and spending increases in the US and additional fiscal stimulus in Germany as drivers for the upward revision to global growth prospects in 2018 and 2019.